China successfully launches its lunar probe

, Dec 2: The launch of

's lunar probe Chang'e-3 was "successful", the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre announced Monday.

Zhang Zhenzhong, director of the centre, made the announcement after the lunar probe entered the earth-moon transfer orbit and unfolded its solar panels, Xinhua reported.

Chang'e-3 lunar probe, aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket, blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China at 1:30 a.m. Monday.

It is expected to soft-land on the moon in mid-December.

IANS